Electric Lacrosse Ball Resurfacer Method And Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A novel electric method and apparatus for resurfacing Lacrosse balls wherein regulation size and shape of the balls is maintained, and abraded surface debris is safely evacuated into removable bags. The ball resurfacer vastly improves on any method known in the art by causing a more uniform and accurate abrasion and makes resurfacing balls safer for the user.

FIELD

The invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for resurfacinglacrosse balls effecting extended life of the balls, uniform size, andelimination of surface waste.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention most closely corresponds with USPTO Class 15/28 whereinClass 15 relates to brushing, scrubbing and general cleaning, andsub-class 28 includes a method for grinding a roll, roller, shaftincluding a spliced shaft, ball, sphere, or piston.

The invention comprises a novel method and apparatus whereby lacrosseballs can be resurfaced using a method of abrading which removes a verysmall amount of surface material, retains the spherical shape, evacuatesabraded waste, and the ball remains in compliance with national lacrosseregulations.

The inventive apparatus contains an electric motor within a hollowreceptacle outfitted with an inverted abrasive disc. When the inventivemethod is applied, the disc speed is faster at the outer edge thantowards the center. Thus, the ball will spin from the center of the discto the outer edge, while very slowly rotating the same way as the disc.The ball movement in diametric direction and at differing speed provideseven abrasion and allows the ball to retain its original shape.

The inventive method utilizes a random orbit motion which keeps the sidespin on the balls slower. Being barred from gaining too much momentumdue to the random action of the motor drive unit, the balls will nottend to bounce or hop. Rather a constant grind action results, and thusa more even removal of surface material is achieved. This is importantto retain the ball's shape and regulation size parameters.

The abrasive disc is inverted to take advantage of gravity andcentrifugal force of the balls being abraded. Pursuant to the spinningaction, the ball will be driven outward, rotating slowly with the discyet oppositely spinning as the surface is gently abraded. In this way, aminute amount of surface material is removed, and the ball's sphericalproportions are retained.

The typical Lacrosse ball utilizing this apparatus and method may beresurfaced approximately thirty (30) times each and still remain incomportment with regulations regarding lacrosse balls in competition.

The sole prior art lacrosse ball resurfacer uses a large “bucket” andclaims to resurface multiple balls in a single cycle. This, however, isnot ideal as the balls bounce erratically as they are ejected off theabrading surface, and will not be as resultantly uniform as in theinventive method. Additionally, the inventive sanding disc is removablewith a Velcro-like attachment and does not have to be heated or priedoff as with the prior art ball resurfacers.

In the inventive method, abraded material is evacuated into removableand reusable dust receptacles. Prior art does not provide this importantfeature as the abraded material contains a variety of plastics andchemicals and is harmful when breathed. Regardless of where theinventive method and apparatus is applied, indoors or out, it is safefor the user as no contaminants will be airborne.

The inventive apparatus is offered in sizes ranging from 4 inches indiameter to 12 inches in diameter for user choice on how many balls toprocess at a time, and can resurface multiple balls per cycle whileretaining the regulation size and shape. Volume of ball load is the maindifference in the sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in further detail by reference to threedrawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:

FIG. 1; is a side cutout view of the ball resurfacing chamber;

FIG. 2; is a side cutout view illustrating a ball being resurfaced; and

FIG. 3; is a top down view of the ball resurfacing chamber illustratingthe inverted abrading disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Regarding FIG. 1, with the ball resurfacer lid 10 open, a ball 20 isillustrated as inserted by a user simply dropping the ball into thechamber 30 of the resurfacer. When the ball comes into contact with theinverted abrading disc 40 it will remain in situ until the resurfacer ispowered on. The edges of the abrading disc are near in contact to thewalls of the resurfacer's chamber 50 so that the ball cannot slipthrough.

Still regarding FIG. 1, beneath the inverted abrading disc is anenclosed chamber 60 for airspace wherein abraded debris from the ballwill be vacuumed though holes in the abrading disc plate (shown in FIG.3), and retained in a reusable bag or receptacle 70. The abrading discsare easily removed and reattached via a hook and loop attachment to thedisc plate. This is also novel in that most sanding discs require someeffort to revoke from the apparatus used with them. During operation,the lid 10 will of course be closed. This aids in the strength ofsuction provided by the vacuum unit 80. Most standard vacuum motors maybe utilized, but they must be of the appropriate size and power.

The resurfacer is powered by a 220 volt motor encased in the base of theresurfacer's cylinder 90 and operates applying random orbit motion. Apower cord 100 is required, but alternate forms of power would beobvious embodiments. The inventive method utilizes a random orbit motionto keeps the side spin on the balls slower. Being barred from gainingtoo much momentum due to the random action of the motor drive unit, theballs will not tend to bounce or hop. When a ball being abraded bounceswithin the chamber, an uneven amount of material is abraded and the ballwill lose its shape. This is important as the game is regulated in mostareas of the world, and the balls are inspected.

When the inventive method is applied, the disc speed is faster at theouter edge than towards the center. Thus, the ball will spin from thecenter of the disc to the outer edge, while very slowly rotating thesame way as the disc. A constant grind action results, and thus a moreeven removal of surface material is achieved. This is important toretain the ball's shape and regulation size parameters. The ballmovement in diametric direction and at differing speed provides evenabrasion and allows the ball to retain its original shape.

Regarding FIG. 2, the novel and controlled ball movement is illustrated.The ball 110 is shown emulating the directional motion as when theresurfacer is powered on. The abrading disc spins in a random orbit 120and the ball will travel in tandem with the spin of the disc 130. Due tothe inverted abrading disc, and apply centrifugal force properties, thespeed of the disc is faster at the outer edge. This will allow the ballto slowly rotate in the opposite direction of the disc spin, and downtoward the center of the abrading disc 140. The ball will gently travelthis path consecutively until the resurfacing is sufficient.

Regarding FIG. 3, a top down view is provided for understanding of theinternal detail. The inverted sanding disc 150 is shown and the airapertures 160 whereby the abraded material can be evacuated are shown.The vacuum unit 170 residing below the sanding disc plate willcontinuously evacuate the abraded material into a reusable bag orreceptacle 180. A user may thin simply empty and reattach the bag orreceptacle. This is critical in the process of resurfacing Lacrosseballs as they are manufactured with rubber which will become airborneparticles that are unhealthy for a user to breathe if there were nomeans of abraded debris evacuation.

The inventive ball resurfacer is a vast improvement over any forms ofprior art in the industry and solves a long felt need of not onlyproperly resizing the balls during resurfacing operations, but toeliminate the abraded material in a safe manner.

1. A Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus comprising: f) a cylinder forreceiving balls g) a detachable inverted abrading disc h) means forevacuating abraded debris via vacuum exhaust and motor i) means forevenly abrading balls using a powered abrading disc j) means forpowering a ball resurfacer via an electric motor
 2. The Lacrosse ballresurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cylinder has a top sectiondiameter of between 4 and 12 inches.
 3. The Lacrosse ball resurfacingapparatus of claim 1 wherein the inverted abrading orbital disc isseated within the cylinder for ball contact.
 4. The Lacrosse ballresurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the abrading disc is easilyremoved and replaced via a hook and loop attachment method to the discplate.
 5. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus of claim 1 wherein themeans for evacuating abraded debris is causing a vacuum to pull debristhrough holes perforated in the abrading disc and into a storagereceptacle.
 6. A method of resurfacing Lacrosse balls wherein a ballspins in tandem with the direction of the abrading disc via electricmotor and will rotate opposite the spin slowly toward the center of theinverted disc and consecutively perform this motion until surface debrisis removed from the ball.
 7. The Lacrosse ball resurfacing apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the means for evenly abrading balls comprises a separateelectric motor is seated in the base of the cylinder.